The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-27
GRANT IN PEACE.
By GENERAL ADAM BADEAU.


rivals in 1880 Blaine was Speaker of tho House
of Representatives when General Grant was first
elected President and, as one of the leaders of the
Republican party. he proposed the passage OF
bill authorizing Grant to take leave of alb
sence, as General Of the army, for the term OF
his presidency. During both of Grants admin
istratioas Mr. Blaine gave him loyal support
he was in favor OF Grants denomination IN 1877
and did not himself become an avowed aspirant
for the succession until Grant had formally an
nounced that his own name was not to be pre-
scented to the convention Of 1876.
In that convention, Grants influence was
thrown for Conking. but he had still no hos
Utility for Blaine and il Blaine had received
the nomination, the administration would I'M
doubtedly have doEe whatever it could, legiti-
mately, for his election. 1t was Bristow whom
Grant especially opposed. and he and Blaine
were united in their opposition, for Brstow's
friends attacked Blaine as fercely as they did
Grant. While the convention was ia session,
Mr. Blaine and Mr.. Fish-Gran.s Secretary
Of State-were seen driving together in an
open carriage. in the streets of Washington, and
Mr.. Fish was too loyal 20 his chief to afford this
indication of friendship to any man with whom
the President under whom he served was at
enmity.
/ had personal knowledge of the earlier rela-
tions of the two great men, who were destined
afterwards to be opposed In the first years of
Grants presidency was offered the position of
minister TO Uruguay and Paraguay, but learning
that change was to be made at the consulate
general in London asked the President for
she latter appointment instead He replied that
he was pledged TO nominate friend of Mr..
Blaine for the London consulate, but added that
might consult the Speaker. and if he was will
ing should be sent to London Accordingly,
went to Mr.. Blaine, who was quite ready to
oblige General Grant through His friend
was sent to South America, and was appointed
consul general at London. Of course, the cour
tesy was Intended for the President, although it
gratiied and benefited me.
accompanied General Grant in mis- first visit
to Switzerland in 1877, and at Geneva a son of
Mr.. Blaine was often in his company, always
welcome in his apartments and at his table. He
gave civil messages from his father to General
Grant. which were cordially reciprocated in my
hearing. 1t was not until the return of Grant to
this country, in 1879, that there was any i'll feel
ing between the predestned rivals. But the prin
eipal opposition to General Grants candidacy
FOR third term came II is we'll known. from the
friends of Mr. Blaine; and in the preliminary can
vass all the ordinary resources of political warfare
were called into play. Many things were said Of
General Grant that were dissgreeable to him.
and personal accusations were made against his
character that touched him keeny perhaps he
felt them more acutely after the lavish compli-
menfs that had been offer him abroad, and the
demonstrations that had followed him around
the world During the contest did not perceive
that he suffered from the sting of these assaults,
and if ne had succeeded, doubt whether he
would have remem bered them: but as the arrows
came home, and he was. tor the first time in his
career. fagrantly defeated, the wounds rank
led for long time He always held MIR. Blaine
responsible. not indeed, avowedly for his dis
comfiture but for the personal attacks 10 which
he attributed it. more than once asked him
tho carse OF his especial bitterness towards
Blaine, and he invariably gave this reason. Yet
thought at the time that he deceived himself,
and that it was because Blaine had been the in
strument and agent of his overthrow, that
Grant maintained so persistent resentment
could not see that Blaine responsible
for what his supporters said of Grant, than
Grant was for many Of the attacks his friends
directed without his knowledge, against Blaine.
Still the sentiment was not unnatural
But here comes in a singular phase Of his feel
ing. Although Grant had been extremely dis
eusted at Bane's introduction into the Cabinet
and though ne certainly attributed the subse
cuent course Of Garfield to the influence OF
Blaine never thought his soreness grea
towards the Secretary of State as towards the
President He not only looked upon Garfield az
responsible, but be felt that it was Garfield
whom he himself had served, and who should
have remernb ered the service. Blaine was ar
avowed antagonist and at liberty to fight will
whatever weapons fortune or his own skill hat
fields administration undoubtedly increased
Grants hostility to Blaine, never heard hin
COMPLAIN OF the minister as much as he did o
the President.
Grants applicability was in no way shared
by Blaine That statesman very willing Il
come to terms with his great antagonist ant
manifested this disposition frequently. O
course, it was easier for him to be me unanimous
since he had succeeded. If not President h,
was Secretary OF State, and. rightly or wrongly
he was credited with directing Garfield's policy
After 1880 there was no intercourse between
Grant and Blaine until the time approache,
when another nomination for the presidency
was to be made, aud then the friends of Blan
were extremely anxious for an accommodation
But Grant was still unwilling to be propitated
He certainly preferred Blaine to Arthur as
candidate, but he refused to take any step O
make any public utterance in Blsine's favor il
the months preceding the nomination.
In October. 1889, he wrote to me as follows:
Dear Badeau-I have your letter of yesterday.
write because OF your allusion to hearing tha
Blaine and had formed combination politically
You may deny the statement most peremptorily.
have not seen Blaine to speak to him since long tim
before the convention of 80. We have had no CON
Taunicaton i'll writing, through other parties, nor i
any direct indirect way. The Republican part
cannot be saved lift is to be saved at ALL by trick
and combinations of politics read yesterday a cir
ssumstantial account of Blaine and spending a wee
together recently, when, without doubt we had fxe
Senator from this State The Republican party to
saved, must have decisive declared policy 1t hs
observable policy except to pedde out patro,
age soreheads in order to bring them back into tn
pool and avoid any positive declarations upon all Lea
Ing questions
This letter was probably made stronger b,
cause Grant knew that was anxious for him
take ground 10 favor of Blaine. General Beal
ALSO an intimate friend-Senator Chaffee. tn
father-inlaw of one of Grants sors, Stephen
Ekns. all desired the same thing, but it coul
not be accomplished at that time In the la
winter or early spring, after the accident whic
compelled him to make use Of crutches *
months, General Grant was in Washington, an
Mr. Blaine called on him at the house of Gener
Beale, whore Grant was a visitor The oppo,
erts OF Mr. Blaine declared that the visit W,
not returned: but Grant authorized denial